Families Learn To Live With Game Players Tout Camaraderie, Positive Reinforcement, Way To Release Pressure

July 12, 1987|By Beth Rhodes of The Sentinel Staff

Larry Hingle was drafted out of college by the St. Louis Cardinals about 20 years ago. But the Vietnam War was under way and he never got his chance to play ball. Now he plays softball every chance he gets.

Hingle is player/manager for Lite Athletic Club, a competitive team that has won several national tournaments. It's about the next best thing to baseball.

''It gets in your blood,'' said Hingle, 42. ''I've said for the last eight years I was not going to play, then February rolls around, and I knock the mud off my cleats and go out there.

''When I can't be competitive, that's when I think I'll put the bat away and go out and watch. When you're an active, contributing player, it's hard to quit. It's addicting, I guess. When you play so long, it's hard to walk away from it.''

When he does, he will be leaving the game but not his memories and friendships. ''There's so much camaraderie. I have friends all over the U.S. that I've played with or against who I only see once a year at national tournaments. Those friendships will last forever,'' Hingle said.

That strong sense of camaraderie appeals to Greg Northrup.

''Team sports is very fulfilling for a lot of people. There's a lot of camaradie, and it's a challenging game,'' Northrup said. ''It's a game that no matter how old you get you can stay pretty decent, and it's good exercise.''

Northrup, who plays for two leagues, averages four nights a week for 10 months a year. His wife, Teresa, said it's more than just a good time.

''It's become such a competitive thing. It's serious business. It's not just a fun sport to go out and hit a few balls and come in. They develop strategy, they get upset if they don't win. It's a total competitive drive,'' Teresa Northrup said.

''It's a psychological thing, too. He's 41 and he's slowing down, and he's not taking this thing very lightly. There are deep psychological factors involved,'' she said.

For Joe Senczakowicz, one of Northrup's teammates on the Oyster Pub team, the psychological side effects are positive reinforcement.

''The confidence I get playing sports carries over to my job. I feel I do a good job at sports and I can do a good job at work,'' said Senczakowicz, a probation and parole officer.

Softball also helps Senczakowicz relate to people. ''It helps me deal with different types of situations and basically deal with people. You have to deal with teammates and it teaches you to deal with co-workers.''

For Senczakowicz, softball is a great way to release pressure. And it's an instant social life. Besides playing volleyball and softball, Senczakowicz said he does little else.

Many families' lives revolve around a softball diamond. Teresa Northrup accepted its place in husband Greg's life a long time ago. ''We've been married 16 years, and he's played all that time. In order to be able to do something with him, I started going with him. We do very little other than that. I don't mind going, but I have had some resentments.''

The worst was the night her daughter was born 13 years ago. Greg dropped by the hospital for five minutes wearing his softball uniform and then headed to his game.

Her friend and fellow softball widow Cheryl Wilson knows exactly how she feels. When her son was born, her husband, John, donned a gown over his uniform to feed the baby.

''When I was younger, it bothered me some,'' said Wilson, who usually does not attend the games. ''But I've come to realize I can have my own thing, he has his, and we can be together when we want to be. It's not a negative thing at all.''

Cheryl Wilson and Teresa Northrup have learned to live with their husband's obssession for the game. Some wives don't.

''Softball cost me my first marriage, and it probably had a lot to do with my second,'' Hingle said.

Hingle was quick to point out, though, it doesn't have to be that way. Some families are drawn together by the game.

Jim Moses, who plays for Fine Foliage in DeLand, and his wife, Sue, who plays for a coed team, often take turns watching their 3-year-old son, Jamey, while the other plays.